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Monday, June 1, 2009

Falafel - Recipes to Rival Chickpea Challenge

The May Recipes to Rival - Chickpeas was a challenge of choice that centered around chickpeas in disparate forms. Lori of Lori's Lipsmaking Goodness was this month's hostess and she gave us two possibilities. We could opt to make chick pea fries using a Mark Bittman recipe or falafel using one developed by Madelain Farahand. Participants electing to make falafel also had to make homemade pita to accompany the chickpea patties. I chose the later and decided to use a recipe for Country-Style Whole Wheat Pita Bread undertaken by the Bread Baking Babes before I started blogging. Lori kindly included a tahini sauce to accompany the falafel. I made that as well as a thin tsatsiki that my husband, suspicious of non-meat entrées, could use to drown the falafel if it proved necessary. The recipe for falafel comes from Madelain Farah's, Lebanese Cuisine, Four Walls Eight Windows, 2001. My changes to her recipe are highlighted in red. I had a good time with this challenge and enjoyed the falafel. Bob maybe not so much. He didn't complain, but he used copious amounts of sauce, actually ate the tabouleh I made as an accompaniment and couldn't stop raving about the pita. Nary a word about the falafel. Go figure!

1) Soak the chickpeas in cold water in the refrigerator overnight.2) Drain the chickpeas . Place chickpeas grated onion and onion juice, parsley and cilantro in bowl of a food processor. Add garlic, flour, coriander, baking soda, cumin, chili flakes, salt and pepper and process until finely ground and well-combined. The mixture will be slightly mealy. Using a tablespoon measure form into walnut-sized balls. Place in a single layer in a large pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 24 hours. Deep fry, six at a time, in hot oil. Drain on paper towels. Yield: 48 to 52 balls.3) Stuff warm pita with shredded lettuce and nestle the falafel balls inside. Top with remainder of ingredients and drizzle with tahini or thin tsatsiki sauce. Serve immediately.

Your pita look more than perfect. Husband just walked by and I said "Look at her amazing, perfect pita breads!" and he said "Oh, they look so fluffy!" We are both impressed. And I love felafel but it has been ages since I have made it. Yours look gorgeous. I think I'll try them now that it is once again felafel weather.

I also have a husband who insists on meat. I honestly believe that we can blame their mothers for not having the initiative to provide something besides meat at each meal. By the way, I really love the looks of the pita and I think the falafel looks wonderful!!

Wow. I've never made those before but do like falafels....your pictures looks very delicious. I'll make note of the recipe and see if I can do the same. Great pita...yummmy..have a lovely day and it was so nice to have you visit.HOpe you come by againJudi

OMG Mary, those recipie's look fab but way too busy for me. My love for cooking is putting together a stew or soup and some home cooking recipes stored in my memory for years. I do try new things but not often.. I do envy your love of cooking something really involved and making food that is to die for. BIG smile.

I love chick peas and they are such a great source of protein. I will have to jot this one down. It all looks lovely. My husband is the same way when I try to cook healthy. He's a meat and potato Irishman and it takes a while to have him adjust to new things! Happy Monday!

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